Belgium is an important partner and a close ally. Norway and Belgium have good cooperation in areas such as energy, business, defense and culture. The visit emphasizes the importance of unity between democracies at a time when the geopolitical situation challenges our common values.
The state visit will begin on Tuesday 24 March with an official welcome ceremony at the Palace Square, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Monument at Akershus Fortress and a meeting with the President of the Storting. The day will end with a gala dinner at the Royal Palace.
The program on 25 March will start with an event at the Nobel Peace Center on the theme of defending international humanitarian law and protecting civilians, followed by a business seminar on offshore wind at the Opera. This will be followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, followed by a government lunch at Akershus Palace, and an event on children and literacy at Deichman Bjørvika. In the evening, the Belgian royal couple will host a reception at the National Museum.
On Thursday 26 March, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will accompany the Belgian royal couple to Stavanger. The program includes a business event on energy security at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, followed by a lunch hosted by Stavanger Mayor Tormod W. Losnedal at the Stavanger Concert Hall. The state visit will conclude with a program on defense cooperation at the Norwegian Air Force base at Sola.
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